According to Strategy Analytics, Apple’s iPad accounts for 95% of the units shipped in Q3, increasing its stranglehold on the market. Global tablet sales climbed to 4.4 million units while Apple’s share increased to 4.19. Tablets running Android shrunk to just 2.3% (from 2.9% the previous quarter).

But isn’t this all bogus? Yes. A real Android challenger, the Samsung Tab is just reaching retail locations now and should be a contender for America’s Next Top Tablet. Pricing for the TAB isn’t as low as some would hope but the unit at the very least, has a shot and should be everywhere. Apple has seen what being everywhere, ala Android phones, can do and made changes quickly with how they distribute the iPad to compete.

Our prediction is Apple won’t own 95% of the market in Q4. There’s curiosity, a healthy column of Android users thanks to “Droid!”. Will Android pull even? Not this year and probably not next. Apple’s good a good head start and currently hold the envious, “how does it compare to the iPad” spot. That will keep them the market leader for the foreseeable future.

What is your take, see a faster climb for Android-based tablets? Let us know in the comments.